Vila Walker True posed in her New Portland parlor with the table chair in the table position. Titled, "Old table chair #3," Chansonetta Stanely Emmons staged Vila True representing a grandmother reminiscing about her earlier life. This photograph illustrated stanza two of Chansonetta's self-published poem, "The Old Table Chair" in 1909.

As with many of Chansonetta’s compositions, the natural light streaming from the window highlights white elements such as the tablecloth, Vila True’s shawl, a cat napping in the chair, and the decanter on the desk.

Chansonetta Stanley Emmons became an eminent Maine photographer after learning the craft from her older brothers Francis and Freelan Stanley, inventors of a dry-plate photographic process, and later of "Stanley Steamer" fame. Born in 1858 in Kingfield, Emmons traveled throughout New England photographing rural life.